Cartridge projecting and retracting mechanism for ball point pens



Dec. 11,1956' W. B. POI NSOT CARTRIDGE PROJECTING AND RETRACTING MECHANISM FOR BALL. POINT PENS Fild March 6, 195.3

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CARTRIDGE PROJECTIN G AND RETRACTING MECHANISM FOR BALL POINT PENS William Bernard Poinsot, Culver City, Calif.

' Application March 6, 1953, Serial No. 340,754 4claims. (ci. 12e-42.03)

This invention has to do with writing instruments and projecting and The principal object of this invention is to provide va mechanism for -actuating the cartridges of ball point pens as above stated, which has a minimum number of working elements that are readily, easily, and accurately assembled, that provides a positive and releas-able actuating of the said cartridge `and that prevents the said cartridge from retracting regardless of the writing pressures that may be applied thereto or regardless of other similar forces that may be applied other than those due to writing.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a mechanism for projecting and retracting the cartridges of ball point pens that has a minimum number of parts along with a minimum number of working elements which may be readily and inexpensively replaced due to breakage that may occur in any form, such as abuse, long 1- and continuous use, and other similar situations.

A yet further important object is to provide a mechanism for the above-described purposes that is initially economical to produce.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the -appended claims, `reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

. Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mechanism and cartridge of a ball point pen in their respective retracted positions;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l, illustrating the initial step of the mechanism and cartridge just prior to complete projection of the cartridge;

, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mechanism of this invention in the position wherein the cartridge is in a completed projected position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the initial step of the mechanism just prior to complete retraction of the cartridge; j

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pen and on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view illustratingthe body and cam or sled of the mechanism of this invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge-actuating plunger of this invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. l, but illustrating a modified form of mechanism;

Fig. l0 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the modified form of the mechanism; Fig. l1 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the modified mechanism of this invention;

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the modi- `fied mechanism of this invention; and

m` of cartridge-actuating plunger.

`g. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a modified 2,773,478 Patented Dec. 11, 1956 ice termediate the ends thereof and ak coil spring 16 placed between flattened portion 15 and annular shoulder 17 ofthe barrel 10. The spring 16 thu-s located continually urges the cartridge 14 to a retracted position, the purpose of which will be more fully described. Cartridge 14 is prevented from exceeding a predetermined projected position by virtue of seat 18 and inclined annular shoulder 19 on cartridge 14.

Slidable within cap 12 and readily removable therefrom is a cylindrical body, broadly designated by the numeral 20, having a passage 21 therethrough, and which is divided into two sections 22 and 23 by a recess or rebate formed in said body intermediate the ends thereof which results in therebeing formed a pair of flat exterior sides 24 and 25 having edges'26 and 27 upon which and about which, cam, broadly designated by the numeral 28, rests. Due to this recess, passage 21 is partially exposed Guides 29 and 30 which are formed in section 23 of body 20, are inclined from the vertical toward section423 of body 20 and forman optimum operational-angle of 40 with that portion of section 23 Where the guides and section intersect adjacent sides 24 and 25. However, the 40 angle may vary plus or minus l0". In opposed relationship to guides 29 and 30 and formed in section 22 of body 20 adjacent sides 24 and 25 and inclined from the vertical and toward guides 29 and 30 are guides 31 and 32. Guides 31 and 32 form an optimum operational angle of which may vary plus or minus 10, with that portion of section 22 at which the guides and reaction intersect adjacent sides 24 and 25.

Formed in section 23 of body 20 are guides 33 and 34 having yan angle greater than that for guides 29 and 30. Formed in section 23 of body 20 and between guides 33 and 34 is an inclined from the horizontal groove 35 adapted tovreceive a cantilever spring 36 having a detent 4 `in addition to having a bight 3S interconnecting parallel legs 39 and 40, the latter having arcuate edges 41 and 42 which slide upon andvbear against guides 29 and 30 and guides 33 and 34 respectively in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3, 5, l0, and 12, has a notch 43 formed therein by'virtue of the fact that legs 39 and 40 extend beyond the bight 38. Legs 39 and 40 are adapted to embrace flat sides 24 of body 20. In opposed relationship to edges 41 and 42 of legs 39 and 40 on cam 28 are edges 44 and 45 which conform to, bear against and slide upon angles 31 and 32 in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 1, y2, 3, 4, 9, l0, and l1. The edges 41 and 42 of legs 39 and 40 of cam 28 are slidably urged or caused to be slidably urged against guides 29, 30, 33, and 34, respectively, byl an elongated cylindrical plunger, broadly designated by the numeral 46. Plunger 46 extends substantially midway into passage 21 of body 20 and has formed integral therewith a finger-actuated button`47 which extends through opening 48 of cap 12. Formed on plunger 46 and intermediate the ends thereof is an annular iiange 49 which restricts the outward urging Vof plunger 46 through openings 48 in cap 12 by virtue of the fact that flange 49 bears against annular shoulders 50 formed in cap 12. Plunger 46, in opposed relationship to button 47, has a hemispherical configuration whereby a flat 51 with a cam-actuating notch 52 is formed in- .further 4rearward or retracting movement.

wardly of extreme, cartridge-actuating, end 53. Also integral on plunger 46 and lying parallel to dat 51 is an elongated projection or key 54 which slides in a groove, guide or keyway 55, formed in body 20. Notch 52 is inclined from the vertical, adjacent'at 51, toward button 47. That portion 56, remote'from flat 51 is also a at which is inclined'fromthe horizontal toward flat 51 in order that notch 52. may pass past inwardly extending annular shoulder 57 on body 20 and in section 22 thereof, when plunger 46 isurged toward the cartridge 14. Shoulder 57 diminishes the diameter of passage 21 whereby this said passage has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the cartridge, whichextends midway therein, andthe plunger but is'less than the chamber 58, formed in body V20, and within which coil spring 59 is coiled aboutplunger 46 and is held. One endof coil spring 59 bears against shoulder .57 and the opposed end bears against flange 49 which results in the plunger 46 being continually urged outwardly. Section 23 of body .20 has formed in the extreme end 60 thereof an annular bevel 61 that assists in guiding cartridge 14 into passage 21. The extreme end 62 of section 22 bears against the shoulder 50 of cap 12 when the body 20 is positioned within said cap 12 and the inward extreme end 63 of barrel bears against end 60 to retain body 20 within cap 12 when the pen and mechanism is in an assembled condition.

The modified form of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive is identical to that of the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, with the exception of the cap 70 which is closed on one end, andthe plunger, broadly designated by numeral 71. The plunger 71,` as

for the nger-actuating button and annular flange 47 and 49, respectively, a `weight 72. In opposed `relationship `to this weight 72 is a at 73 and a cam-actuating hook .may be seen in Fig. 13 of the drawings, has substituted coil spring 77 which bears against the weight 72 at one `the cartridge and the spring 59 about the plunger is in a partly expanded condition whereby the cartridge is in abutting relationship :with the extreme end 53 of the plunger 46. Bearing upon the cartridge l14 is the Vcarn 28 urged into such position bycantiliver spring 36, the detent y37 of which is the only thing in contact with cam 28. Theedges 44 and 45 of `carn 28 bear against guides 31 andi32. The edges 41 and 42 of cam 28 are not in contacting relationship with guides 29 and 30 or guides 33 and 34. The first or initial `step prior to `projecting the ink-containing cartridge 14 may be 'seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings wherein plunger 46 is exerted toward the cartridge 14 forcing `the stylus `thereof throughthe :extreme end of the barrel 10. As soon .as the cartridge is clear of the notch43 in cam 28 the latter may be urged into the tilted position, as shown, lbut cantilever spring 36 bearing thereagainst. In this position releasing of the plunger 46 tends to permit the cartridge .to retract into `barrel 10 and body 20, respectively. However, the cartridge contacts the `notch of the cam 28 which urges the cam and the edges 44 and 45 `thereof against guides 31 an'd.32, resulting in a wedging of the cam :between `the cartridge and the guides restricting `the cartridge -from The notch 43 4 of cam 28 in the position as shown in Fig. 3 bears upon at'51 of plunger 46. Releasing of the plunger 46 a'nd allowing the same to assume the position as shown in Fig. 4, enables the cantilever spring to urge the cam 28 to assume a 'wedging position between the cartridge 14 and the guides 31 and 32, the guides 31 and 32 having for their purpose the controlling of the downward sliding movement of the cam 28 and the edges 44 and 45 of legs 39 and k40. As may be seen inFig. 4 of the drawings, the extreme end 53 of the plungeris spaced from the inward extreme end of the cartridge 1'4. The cantilever spring 36 from the detent to the inner extreme end bears upon the cam 28 and tends tohold the "same inthe-position illustrated. Cam 28 likewise is urged to bear against edges 26 and 27 of body 20. The fact that passage 29 is partly exposed intermediate the ends of the body 20 enables the cam to contact the cartridge in the manner as described, and `to assume the aforementioned wedging position. The fact that theguides 31 and 32 are inclined toward guides 29 and 30 `enables the cam `to obtain the previously described wedging condition. Additionally, the fact that theplunger '46 has `a `tlat 51 thereon enables the cam 28 todrop behind theinner extreme end of the cartridge 14 under the urging ofthe cantileverspring 36.

To retract the cartridge 14 the plunger 46 is again urged toward said cartridge 14 whereby notch 52 of plunger 46 contacts `and `urges the cam to slide upwardly along guides -29 and 30 in the manner/as illustrated in Fig. y5 of the drawings. Guides 33 and 34 retain the cam `28 in an aligned upward path of travel. As soon as cam 28 reaches a position that is clear of inward extreme Aend .of cartridge =14, the latter is urged between thelegs 39 and 40 of cam 28 `under the urging of'coil spring 16 about cartridge 14. This urging lof the cartridge `14 between the legs 39 and 40 of cam 28 by coil spring 16 brings the cartridge into 4abutting `relationship with the extreme end `53fof plunger 46. Releasing of plunger 46 enables the cartridge-toretract and the entire mechanism'to assume the position inAFig. 1 of the drawings.

tionas showninFig. l1, `which is identical to -that ushown in Fig. 4. A second throwing motion identical to that previously described results in the cartridge being retracted `into the pen and the position of thecartridge andmechanism will be as that shown in `Fig. l. i

It may be noted that the cantilever spring 36 of th afore-described `mechanism maybe positioned atany-loca tion upon the body 20 which will obtain the result Apreviously described. In other words, thecantilever-spring, instead of extending toward the end of the c-ap 12 or 70 as the case may be, may extend toward the barrel 4of the pen. Additionally, cantilever spring 36 may be a prolongation of coil spring 59. Further, the entire 4pen ywith the exception 'of the coil springs may be cons'tructed of metals or plastics, including nylon.

Various changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing Vfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as dened by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A writing implement comprising a tubular body, writing means axially slidable in the yb'ody between projected and retracted positions, spring ,means in the body vurging the writing means into retracted position with respect .to the body, advancing means reciprocable in the body for engaging and forcing the writing means from its retracted position to its projected position against the action of said spring means, locking means engageable with the writing means and means on the advancing means for holding the writing means in projected position, spring means urging the locking means laterally with respect to the body and into a position wherein it may lock the writing means in projected position, said body presenting a cam surface oblique to the axis thereof, said locking means being also engageable with said cam sur face, and said means on the advancing means engageable with the locking means to force the locking means axially of the body and against said cam surface, when the advancing means is retracted in the body to cause the locking means to move laterally in the body against the action of the last-mentioned spring means and clear the writing means allowing the writing means to retract.

2. A writing implement comprising a tubular body, writing means axially slidable in the -body between projected and retracted positions, spring means in the body urging the writing means into retracted position with respect to the body, advancing means for the writing means reciprocable in the body for engaging and forcing the writing means from its retracted position to its projected position against the action of said spring means, ya second spring means urging the advancing mean-s to retract out of engagement with the writing means, locking means engageable with the writing means and means on the advancing means for holding the writing means in projected position, additional spring means urging the locking means laterally with respect to the vbody and into a position wherein it may lock the writing means in projected position, said body presenting a cam surface oblique to the axis thereof, said locking means Vbeing also engageable with said cam surface, and said means yon the advancing means engagea'ble with the locking means to force the locking means axially of the body and against said cam surface, when the advancing means is again retracted in the body to cause the locking means to move laterally in the `body against the action of the last-mentioned spring means and clear the writing means allowing the writing means to retract. l

3. A writing implement comprising a tubular body, Writing means Iaxially slidable in the body between projected and retracted positions, spring means in Ithe body urging the writing means into retracted position with respect to the body, advancing means reciproca'ble in the body for engaging and forcing the writing means from its retracted position to its projected position against the action of said spring means, locking means in telescopic relationship to a portion of the advancing means engageable with the writing means and means on the advancing means for holding the writing means in projected position, spring means urging the locking means laterally with respect to the body and into a position wherein it may lock the writing means in projected position, said body presenting a cam surface oblique to the axis thereof, said locking means being also eng-ageable with said cam surface, and said means on the advancing means engageable with the locking means to force the locking means axially of the 'body and against said cam surface, when the advancing means is again retracted in the body to cause the locking means to move laterally in the body against the action of the last-mentioned spring means and cle-ar the writing means allowing the writing means to retract.

4. A writing implement comprising a tubular body, writing means axially slidable in the `body between projected and retracted positions, spring means in the body urging the writing means into retracted position with respect to the body, advancing means reciprocable in the body for engaging and forcing the writing means from its retracted position to its projected position against the action of said spring means, spring means urging the advancing means to retract out of engagement with the writing means, locking means in telescopic relationship to a portion of the advancing means engageable with the writing means for holding the writing means in projected position, spring means urging the locking means laterally with respect to the body and into a position Lwherein it may lock the writing means in projected position, said body presenting a cam surface oblique to the axis thereof, said locking means being also engageable with said cam surface, and said means on the advancing means engageable with the locking means to force the locking means axially of the body and against said cam surface, when the advancing means is again retracted in the -body to causethe locking means to move laterally in the body against the action of the last-mentioned spring means and clear the writing means allowing the writing means to retract.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,557,054 Mansheim June l2, 1951 2,584,569 Frentzel Feb. 5, 1952 2,624,314 Spatz Jan. 6, 1953 

